Push for MPs to tighten laws on gun control

The rampant killing of women and children through the use of firearms has reached Parliament, with anti-gun lobby groups and civil society to push MPs to tighten the screws on gun control.

Chairman of the portfolio committee on police Francois Beukman confirmed yesterday that experts and lobby groups would attend the firearm summit in Parliament at the end of this month.

The police’s annual report showed that 5 520 firearms were in the wrong hands last year, with some stolen from the police. Out of 10 113 guns stolen from individuals and government departments, half of them were returned to their owners and the other half destroyed by the police.

Beukman said the summit would give direction on the tightening of gun laws in the country. “The summit flows from our discussions in the portfolio committee on what kind of society we want,” said Beukman.

Among those to attend and address the summit include Police Minister Nkosinathi Nhleko, police chief General Riah Phiyega, trauma surgeon at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital Professor Sebastian van As and psychologist Dr Lane Benjamin.

Crime statistics show an increase in murders in 2013/14, with more than 17 000 people killed in that financial year, compared to more than 16 200 people murdered in 2012/13. The proliferation of illegal firearms has been ascribed to some, if not most, of the murders.

Other top South Africans to attend the gun summit include soccer boss Danny Jordaan.

Jordaan made an impassioned plea last year for more stringent gun laws following the killing of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Senzo Meyiwa.

Beukman said there was a huge interest in the summit, ranging from the government to civil society and specialists in various fields. Groote Schuur Hospital would give a report on child murder cases.